View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Vic confront about the true nature of Carpenter's business in Part IV?

2. Where do Vic and Trixie buy a new pet?

3. What does Melinda tell Vic Mr. Cameron has explained to her?

4. What do Vic and Melinda serve for dinner in Part III?

5. Where is the coroner's inquest into De Lisle's death held?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Horace tell Vic about Melinda's persistent claims that he is a murderer?

2. What does Cameron play that grates on Vic's nerves in Part IV?

3. What does Brian Ryder do while a guest in Vic's home that upsets Vic?

4. What does Melinda do in Part III in order to hurt Vic?

5. What does Melinda tell Vic that Carpenter concluded about Vic?

6. What does Vic really dislike about Cameron by late in Part IV?

7. How do the other partygoers react to the death inquiry of De Lisle?

8. Who does Vic confront about the hiring of a private investigator in Part III, and what does he find out?

9. What inspires Brian's new poem?

10. Who accuses Vic of killing De Lisle, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In general, how does Vic react to his wife Melinda's infidelities, and how does Highsmith communicate the unorthodox nature of their relationship to the reader? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How does Highsmith use the character Trixie to highlight or explain certain aspects of Vic's character? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How would you describe Highsmith's tone and language throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 505 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample